Ram Nawami Mahotsav gets underway at Temi

TEMI, 10 April: Tourism Minister, Bhim Dhungel, called upon the youth to take full advantage of the State’s tourism potential to become self reliant by using and maintaining of the existing tourism infrastructure.
He mentioned that the state government is committed to tourism development and creating more tourism infrastructure in the State but there was need of equal participation from the people for sustainable tourism in the state.
The Minister was speaking at the inaugural function of the three-day long Ram Nawami Mahotsav-cum-Tourism Festival organised by the Temi-Namphing Tourism Development Committee [TTDC] here at Temi Bazaar.

Mr Dhungel pointed out that with the existing and upcoming infrastructure the south district was evolving as a pilgrimage tourist destination and already has the world famous Temi tea garden as another tourist attraction.
Despite such potential, the state is still lacking in proper promotion and marketing and there is need to have active people’s participation since the government cannot do alone, he stressed.
He also pointed out that the stakeholders were still not coming out to take full advantage of the existing infrastructure and opportunities in the state. On the same, he urged the people to deliver their responsibilities towards the state to develop tourism.
He assured to take all the demands raised by the people of Temi-Namphing seriously to give immediate results and further assured to take all action to develop tourism in the area.
In his address, area MLA, BS Panth, pointed out that the government was just the facilitator and that the people have to come forward to take advantage of the potential and facilities available.
On behalf of the people, he put up a set of demands to the Minister seeking was Tourism department’s support in upgradation of Temi Mandir, establishment of a garbage dumping site in an already identified place in forest land and to sanction tourism infrastructure in the area.
The function was also addressed by the president TTDC, Arun Kumar Pradhan.
The inaugural function also included cultural programmes by the self help groups and guest artists and sports for the children.
The main venue of the festival at Temi Bazaar has traditional food stalls along with exhibition-cum-sale counters by different government organisations and self help groups of the area.
The festival also includes competitions along with musical nites and other programmes by guest artists from different parts of the state. Likewise, Ram Nawami Puja is underway at Durga-Shiv Mandir at Temi bazaar.
Another attraction included this year in the festival is trekking from Temi to Tendong on 12 April and on the way back the trekkers will also be taken to the Biodiversity Park.
The organisers have also arranged 108 butter lamps at Tendong and the registered trekkers can light one butter lamp each and could also pick up two rhododendron flowers to offer at Tendong Gumpa and Durga-Shiv Mandir.